A streetwise New York City native born and raised in Washington Heights, Lakecia Benjamin has become one of the most highly sought-after players in soul and funk music. Charismatic and dynamic as both a saxophonist and bandleader, she has worked with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Macy Gray, and more. She has performed on four continents, and her extensive recording credits include saxophone and arrangements for Santigold, Maurice Brown, the Clark Terry Big Band, Krystle Warren, and Talib Kweli, among others.

After being so in demand as a collaborator, Benjamin has recently taken center stage in her own right with the release of her unconventional soul and funk album Retox (2012), on Motéma Music. The debut disc finds the saxophonist showing off her impeccable purist jazz resume with a deep, kaleidoscopic, and ingeniously arranged mix of original old school soul and funk songs.